My 1985 VF500 Interceptor Project

Hey guys and girls,

I have been lurking for a few months now, after picking up an '85 500. The forum has lots of great info to keep these amazing little bikes on the road. She isn't in bad condition, maybe 7/10, a good rider i think. My plans are to restore it back to its former glory, likely over this fall winter.

She was pretty badly neglected when i bought it, spongy brakes, the clutch cylinder was full of this muddy crud! :chaingun:. Chain was filthy, missing the bolt of the right side clip-on... the list of stupid sh*t goes on and on and on....

Sadly the PO had dropped it and sustained some damage to the right ride, the upper cowling had broken a tab and the tank as a few not so nice dents and the F1 pipe has some damage...

When I 1st picked it up, the front tire was pooched, got a new BT45 Front for $20 from Clare's Cycle's odds and ends shelf :biggrin: Another 20 to mount and were good to go. Now i jsut need to replace the too wide rear tire ( was rubbing chain guard :crazy:, how the PO didn't notice i beyond me...)

Changed the ugly factory turn signals to some smaller aftermarket ones that I think look period correct and have good visibility as well.

Picked up a new set of pipes on Ebay and had a welder buddy fill some minor gouges on them and polished them, not bad but still need more more work.

Sorry to be so long winded for my 1st post.

 

Some pics of the NOS luggage rack i scored on eBay, now to find an appropriate top case (period correct style.. suggestions?)

The other pic is of the exhaust can after being cleaned up (different can than the damaged one)

 

Welcome :yo:

SWEEET lookin Ole-girl, even with the road rash!!

Don't take this wrong, But I already hate you for scoring that OEM rack! :biggrin: I Really want one, & since you took such nice pics of it, I will get over it quickly!

Ride Safe

 

I kind of expect the response re: the rack. They seem to be super rare am i think i was quite lucky to score it! I wonder it be took good measurements some one with a fab shop could make up a few for a reasonable price?

 

Before spending too much time and $$$, maybe look into engine internals first with a compression test ??

 

Thanks squirrelman, the bikes does run very well, starts no problem and pulls strong, no smoke but you're right, I need to do a compression check and a valve inpection.

However,
It is very easy to hop on the bike and ride with the great summer we've had here in Toronto!

 

Hey Im new to the site and I have one of these bikes Im soon going to be fixing it up just fig I would ask what mods would be good to do to it to make it look a lil more current and yea the turn signals are horrid! haha